Renewable and sustainable energy replacement sources

Exploration of ecological energy sources is a major global task this paper considers two ways of harnessing natural sources of energy. (1) Converting the thermal energy of the earth to electric energy, by utilizing the natural temperature gradient of soil (2) Adapting the electrical aspect of photosynthesis in plants for the same purpose. The first approach is based on Seebeck's thermoelectric effect, which occurs when mobile charge carriers in liquids and solids are subjected to a temperature gradient. The temperature gradient originates as a result of absorption of solar energy as well as geological activity of Earth's inner layers. Existing thermoelectric converters produce 300-500uV/grad at a 20-40% efficiency. If the difference of the temperatures between the upper and the lower layers of the soil is 20 degrees, then one thermo-element produces 10 mV. In spite of the low voltage, the current can be significant; it can produce hundreds and thousands of amps due to the low electric resistance of the element and the proper cross-section of the active elements. Utilizing two meshes The proposed technical implementation of this approach can be done by placing one metal or semiconductor mesh a few meters deep in the soil, and another mesh made of a different metal close to the surface of the soil. One square meter of such a system can produce as much as 10 W of power. The mesh can be installed in parks and in other public places. A 100 × 100m area can produce as much as 10-100 kW of energy. To exclude the penetration of ions of metals in the soil, the metal meshes must be wrapped in a plastic film. The heat, which is generated by the current flowing through the converter, is scattered by the soil. The prospective "photosynthesis energy source" approach is based on the fact that the amount of solar energy on each square meter of Earth's surface can reach 1.4 kW. This produces up to 50mV of photosynthesis electric potential between the roots and leaves (Voltree power). However, unlike the thermoelectric converters, plants have a much higher electric resistance. To make this approach feasible, two problems must be resolved: the reduction of the electric resistance of the plant's tissue and the organization of the collection of the energy (multiple electrode insertion). Even if just a portion of the solar energy will be converted into electricity, each square meter can produce tens of watts; thus 100 × 100 m area can produce 100-1000 kW of energy during sunny days, and larger forest are greater sources of energy.